DarkSide DownUnder: DarkSider News for August

Welcome to the latest DarkSider News!

August keeps on giving...

NEW RELEASES

The Only Question That Matters by JL Peridot is a standalone novella in the AMS Celestial Dream collection. It will be released on 10th August.

“Do I call this love already? I am almost disgusted with myself. How pathetic to fall so easily. Perhaps I was the cause of my past heartbreaks. Not stupid schoolboys or an arrogant rich man, but a gullible girl from a flower farm who opens her heart too readily and expects too much.”

Sofia is en route to Planet Paradiso, ready to start a new life after her divorce. But when she accepts Alexei's dinner invitation on her final evening, she realises she's in for more than she bargained for. As the AMS Celestial Dream arrives at its destination, and their one-night stand draws to a close, Sofia must choose between a newfound possibility with Alexei and the freedom she so desperately craves.

THE ONLY QUESTION THAT MATTERS is an emotional examination of healing and resilience through sex and love.

Available from:

River's Edge by C.M. Simpson is a science fiction short story, released by C.M. Simpson Publishing on 10th August.

When my mother told me to run, I ran. I ran all the way to the river and then stopped—because the river was a frightening place, and forbidden by the raiders who came to take their annual toll of settlers. Faced with the choice of being taken, or taking my chances in the river, I took a step back, and hoped that somewhere, across the river I’d find help.

links??

Hunter Hunted by Keri Arthur is Book 3 in the Lizzie Grace series. It was released today, 14th August.

Christmas is fast approaching, and Lizzie Grace and her witch familiar, Belle Kent, are hoping it’s going to be a quiet one.

But those hopes are dashed when, on a quest to find a customer’s errant husband, Lizzie comes across the body of a witch and a dark circle of power neither she nor Ashworth can break.

Then werewolves begin to turn up dead—skinned.

As the body count rises, and the hunters become the hunted, it’s evident there’s a new evil in town.

One that is determined to claim the reservation—and the wild magic—for his own.

Through These Eyes by Donna Maree Hanson is a short story collection of magical realism and fantasy. It was released on 26th July.

Have you ever wondered what is real?
Are everyday things just as they seem or is there a secret world just beyond our perception? One that bends and shifts as it hides from our sight?

Eleven tales of speculative fiction from Australian author, Donna Maree Hanson

Entropy by Jess Anastasi is Book 4 in the Atrophy series. It was released by Entangled Publishing on 6th August.

Captain Qaelan Forster is used to trouble. He lives on the wrong side of the law and he’s on the most-wanted lists. He’s mixed up in his cousin's mess who has problems on a cosmic level—like shape-shifting aliens who want them dead. But Qaelan’s not prepared for the cheeky kind of trouble called Camille Blackstone, whose infamous father has any man interested in his daughter executed.

After Camille drags Qaelan into an impulsive act of rebellion, she finds herself trying to defend the sexy captain from her overprotective father's wrath, even if she has to handcuff herself to the captain to keep him alive. However, it soon becomes apparent there are much more dangerous things lurking in the dark corners of the universe than a vengeful pirate lord. And she's just landed in the middle of it.

Available from:

The Four Horsmemen series by LJ Swallow now has the first five books available in Audiobook form via Audible.

Available from:

Audible

Non spec-fic titles

Passion in Flames by Carolyn Wren is book 2 of the Love Under Fire series. It was released by Serenity Press on 20th July.

Simon Winters has a reputation for undertaking adrenalin-filled assignments. But even thrill-seekers need some down time. After an arduous desert mission, he asks for a more enjoyable assignment. Preferably involving a beautiful woman and a fast car.

Dr Elizabeth Barrett's life was peaceful and methodical until someone tried to burn down her research laboratory with her inside. Now she has to contend with a handsome, flirtatious agent living in her home, who has an annoying habit of putting her in more perilous situations than he keeps her out of.

The danger escalates as a straightforward mission turns deadly. Someone wants Beth and her research dead.

Will the charismatic agent and his sexy scientist escape with their hearts, and their lives, intact?

Available from:

Print: Amazon US | Amazon Aus | Booktopia |

No ebook as yet

PRE-ORDERS

Elements of Magic by LJ Swallow is Book 2 in the The Demon's Covenant series and is expected to be released on 14th September.

A day spent tracking down demon-filled magic boxes? Frustrating.

Four powerful and sexy men in my life? Distracting.

A night out in a fae drug den? Well, that ends badly. Really badly.

Available from:

Amazon US | Amazon Aus |

Non spec-fic titles

Dangerous Echoes by Leisl Leighton is Book 1 in the Echo Springs series which will be released by Escape Publishing as an ebook on 4th September.

Blue lights in the red dust…

Echo Springs on the edge of the outback – a town where everyone knows your name, and your business. But the wholesome country living and welcoming community aren’t what they used to be. Echo Springs has a dark underbelly, and it is seeping ever outward.

Brilliant forensic pathologist, Erika Hanson, fled from Echo Springs as a teenager, leaving behind a past of tragedy and pain. But when local police announce they’ve found her beloved brother’s body in a meth lab explosion, she knows she must return to clear Peter’s name and find out what really happened. Because Peter would never get involved with the drug tag sweeping across the small town of Australia and destroying lives.

Hartley Cooper has a past with Erika Hanson, but that’s not going to keep him from doing his job. He’s seen what grief can do, and denial is only the first step. But Erika is convinced that Peter can’t be involved, and her meticulous, professional skills start to convince Hartley as well. When Erika’s digging and questions get too personal, the town turns against them, Hartley knows Erika might run again. But this time he’s ready. And he’s not going to let her go.

You can now also pre-order from:

Amazon US | Amazon Aus |

(Previously mentioned buy links were - iBooks | Google Play | Kobo | )

COVER REVEAL

Dawn of the Cyborg by Marie Dry is due for release by Black Opal Books on 1st September.

Arcane Awakenings: Books Three and Four by Shelley Russell Nolan contains the next two novellas in the Arcane Awakenings series which will be released late August.

Non spec-fic titles

Nothing to Hide by Claire Boston is Book 3 in the Blackbridge series which will be released by Bantilly Publishing on 17th September.

Native orchids aren’t the only thing under threat…

Park Ranger Will Travers is the new outsider in the small, tight-knit community of Blackbridge. But as a loner at heart, the only thing he needs is his work, and right now that means protecting the endangered orchids at the local motocross club. He just has to go up against the gorgeous club president who leaves him lost for words and tripping over his own tongue.

Fleur Lockhart has no desire to be responsible for the extinction of a species, but while Will might be tall, dark and handsome, he’s also abrupt and sullen. Then someone starts dumping illegal waste and vandalising the track, and Will and Fleur are forced to work together to discover who is responsible.

As the bond between them grows, the attacks escalate, getting more and more deadly, and Fleur appears to be the target. Will they find the culprit before more than orchids are crushed to death?

New Cover

Jalaya by C.M. Simpson has a new cover. Originally published in 2012, it's original cover reflected the anthology the story had been in. It was time to have a cover to reflect the story itself.

Michael has helped the villagers survive the invasion for ten years. This year, he cannot. Cut off from escape, their only hope of salvation is to return to the village, and pray. Returning to the village means returning to his fiancé, forced by a secret family tradition to remain, when duty called him to leave. But reunions will have to wait. First they have to bring their people home.

Available from:
Amazon US | Amazon Aus |

SALES

Carolyn Wren has sold her book called Empathy to Vulpine Press.

AROUND THE WEB

On Sale

Donna Maree Hanson has Dragon Wine: Volume One on sale for 99c for a limited time only. This features the first two books in the Dragon Wine series: Shatterwing and Skywatcher.

Available from:

Lana Pecherczyk has Soul Thing for free until the 16th August. It's the Book 1 in the The Game of Gods series. Click here for the buy link.

Blog posts

Leisl Leighton has had a delivery of the print anthology Echo Springs, which includes her story, Dangerous Echoes. Check out her happy dancing over at her blog.